Voting Rights Restoration in Washington State

Our vote is our voice. The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy. Our country’s history is marked by successful struggles and legal battles to ensure that the right to vote is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy few, but a right guaranteed to all, regardless of race, class, or gender.

What type of convictions could affect my voting rights?

A person may lose the right to vote when convicted of a felony in adult court. You do not lose you right to vote in Washington for a misdemeanor or juvenile conviction.

Can individuals convicted of felonies vote in Washington?

Yes!

If you were convicted of a felony in a Washington State adult court, your right to vote is automatically restored as soon as you are no longer under the authority of the Department of Corrections (DOC). This means that once you have completed any required incarceration and/or DOC community custody, your right to vote has been restored.

If you were convicted of a felony in another state or federal court, your right to vote is automatically restored once you are no longer in jail or prison.

The right to vote is restored even if you still owe court fines, restitution, or other legal financial obligations (LFOs).

You do not need to pay off your LFOs to vote. You are still legally obligated to pay all of your LFOs and to comply with the payment schedule. However, your right to vote is not automatically lost for failure to pay LFOs. You do not lose the right to vote for failure to pay LFOs unless a court determines that you have intentionally failed to pay your LFOs and the court issues an order revoking your right to vote.

If you are notified that a court or prosecutor intends to revoke your right to vote for failure to pay your LFOs, please contact the ACLU Help Line at 206.624.2180 or submit a complaint through our website at https://www.aclu-wa.org/pages/about-getting-help.

How do I find out if I am on or off DOC community custody?

The best way to know for certain if you are on community custody is to call the DOC. You can reach the DOC at 1.800.430.9674 on Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm. Ask if DOC has an “open” or “active” file on you. If they say No, you are eligible to register to vote. If they say Yes, ask for the name and phone number of your Community Corrections Officer’s (CCO) supervisor, and call the supervisor. Ask the supervisor if you are currently on community custody. If they say Yes, your right to vote is not restored until you are done with community custody.

Is there a document or place I need to check to confirm that my right to vote is restored?

No. There is no longer a document confirming restoration of the right to vote (in the past, a COD did this). There is also no list of persons whose right to vote has been restored. This is why it is important to double-check whether you are on DOC community custody or not. If you are no longer incarcerated and are not on DOC community custody, your voting rights are restored, and you are eligible to register to vote. You also do not need paperwork to prove that your right to vote has been restored.

Do I still need to register to vote?

Yes. While voting rights restoration is automatic, eligible individuals still need to register. Even if you registered to vote or voted before your felony conviction, you will likely need to re-register to vote.

There are many ways to register to vote.

There are many ways to register, including in person at county auditor or elections offices and in many other locations, government offices such as the Department of Licensing (DOL), Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and often local schools, libraries, and firehouses. You can also register online at www.secstate.wa.gov, through the My Vote app on a smartphone, via mail, or with organizations like the League of Women Voters.

Note: There are deadlines for registration. You should contact the Secretary of State, your county elections office, or a voting rights organization for official deadlines. Generally you can register by mail until 29 days before an election, and in person until 8 days before the election.

You can register to vote even if you do not have an ID.

You may still register to vote if you do not have an ID as long as you provide one of the following items before you cast your ballot:

Valid photo ID

Valid tribal ID of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Washington State

Copy of a current utility bill

Current bank statement

Copy of a current government check

Copy of a current paycheck

A government document that shows both your name and address

You do not need a home or stable address to vote.

When you register to vote, you will be required to provide two addresses:

1. A residential address

This can be the name or address of a shelter, park, motor home, intersection, or some other identifiable location. This location will be used to determine which precinct you will vote in.

AND

2. A mailing address

You can receive your elections mail at any valid mailing location you choose. A mailing address can include a post office box, address of a friend or relative, shelter, or general delivery at a local post office. The mailing address is where all election-related material, including your ballot, will be sent.

If your mailing address changes and you don’t update it before the registration deadline, you can contact your local elections office for a ballot!

While Washington is an “all-mail” voting state, each county has ballot drop-off locations where you can turn in your ballot without postage. Each county also offers accessible voting locations for individuals with disabilities. Check with your county auditor or elections office for more information.

If I have my voting rights, should I still try to get a certificate of discharge (COD)?

You do not need a certificate of discharge to register to vote. However, the restoration of voting rights does not mean that a COD has been entered in your case. Additionally, obtaining a COD has important benefits beyond restoring your right to vote. For example, if you want to vacate your felony criminal record for background check purposes, getting a COD “starts the clock” on a waiting period that must occur before you ask the court to vacate your records. If you have questions about vacating your conviction, please feel free to call the ACLU at 206.624.2180.

Can I lose the right to vote after it has been restored?

Yes. If you are convicted of another felony offense, you will lose the right to vote again until you have completed the new term of incarceration and any new required period of community custody. A court or prosecutor may threaten to revoke your right to vote for failure to pay LFOs. If you receive a notice that a court or prosecutor intends to revoke your right to vote for failure to pay your LFOs, please contact the ACLU Help Line at 206.624.2180 or submit a complaint through our website.

What if I experience misunderstandings about the law?

Contact the ACLU. Call 206.624.2180 or email us from our website: www.aclu-wa.org.

If you have a record and are unsure whether you can vote, you can also use the ACLU’s easy-to-use online guide at www.canivote.aclu-wa.org.